Sergeant (Temporary Warrant Officer Class 2) Kevin George Conway was killed in action on July 6, 1964 in the Battle of Nam Dong, aged 35. He was the first Australian to die from enemy action during the Vietnam War.

He was part of the 30-strong, Australian Army Training Team in South Vietnam in 1963 and serving as an adviser with US Special Forces team (A-726) when it was attacked by a strong Viet Cong force. He had been defending a mortar pit with a US Sergeant inside the camp base and died as a result of the assault. Conway was recommended for the Victoria Cross by the CO of AATV for continuing to fire his mortar single-handedly after his American co-defendant was killed.

However, the recommendation was turned down, partly, it is understood, because Australia was not officially at war at the time. He received the highest Vietnamese citation for bravery, but nothing from Australia.

Andrew Laming, Federal MP for Bowman is fighting to get this recognition now with a retrospective Victoria Cross or Star of Gallantry.

The funeral for Kevin’s niece, Kathleen Woodford was held at Cleveland Cemetery on 16th August 2018 and she was buried next to him. Kathleen fought hard for Kevin's body to be returned to Cleveland, Queensland.

Andrew Laming MP is calling for the Australian Defence Tribunal to award Kevin Conway a retrospective VC or Star of Gallantry.